Breathing-mask.



J. SARACINO.

BREATHING MA APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, IBIB.

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JOHN SARACINO, F LAPOBTE, INDIANA.

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BREATHING-MASK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Dec. 10,1918.

Application filed May 10, 1918. Serial No. 233,759. I

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, J OHN SARACINO, a c1t1- I zen of the United States, residing at Lain the county of Laporte and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Breathing-Masks,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to breathing masks, and has for its object to provide a breathing mask which will check the habit of breathing through the month during sleep. It has for a further object to provide a device which will adjustably control the amount of air inhaled through the month during sleep. A further object is to provide a breathing mask, to be fitted overthe mouth, which will allow unchecked exhalation, but which will at will hinder or prevent the inhalation of air through the mouth. Other objects will appear from time to time in the specificatlon.

Referring specifically to my invention, I have illustrated it more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a front view of my invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear View;

Fig. 3 is a sectionon Fig. 2;

Fig. 4c is a section on Fig. 1. p

Like parts are indicated bv like characters throughout the several figures.

A is a mouthpiece of rubber, celluloid or other suitable material, shaped to inclose-the iouth, and preferably made large enough to include the lips within its periphery. It terminates in front in a flat, perforated disk 13, about which rises a screw-threaded rim C. On it is screwed a second perforated porte,

the line 3'?) of the 11... H of disk D, which engages the rim C by the screw-thread rim E, which terminates in an outwardly flaring circular flange F. Locked between the flange F and the outer surface of the mouthpiece A is the pad G, to which are fastened cords or tapes, H and I, which pass around the head, and under the chin.

Screw-threaded to the disk D is the rim J, which holds the gauze screen K. Secured to the disk D is the valve L, a thin disk of yielding but airtight material. It is normally held in place by the cord M, threaded through one of the perforations of the disk D, and by a weight N, suspended by the cord in the space beouter perforated tween the perforated disks. The cord is of such a length that the weight does not touch the rim of the disk.

Passing through opposed apertures in the rim or circle E is a stifl wire, O, with a handle P, adapted for manual rotation of the wire. Intermediate the ends of the wire is a bend or stud, Q, spaced to project on rotation of the handle P, through a perforation, preferably enlarged, in the perforated disk D, and to contact or raise from its seat the valve L. In place of a wire a fiber or celluloid bar or stud may be used if desired. 7

Threaded in the disk D is the adjusting screw R, which is positioned opposite an enlarged perforation S in the perforated disk D. The screw can be turned, through this aperture, to raise the valve L, at a point adjacent its rim, to any desired height from its seat.

Obviously many variations in shape and arrangementof parts could be made without departing from the spiritof my invention, and my drawings will be taken as in a sense diagrammatic. The two disks might be formed of one piece, or the screw Run'ight be made of such a length as to project through'the inner disk and be manually and directly adjustable. The shape and flexibility of the disk might be varied, and a multitude of other changes in size,r elation' and arrangement of parts might be made. 1

The use and operation of my invention are as follows p The object of my breathing mask is to prevent breathing through the month during sleep. The unpleasant results of this habit are many and obvious. It frequently causes snoring. It may injure the teeth, and fre quently causes toothache, to those whose teeth are-sensitive, through the introduction into the mouth of large volumes of cold air, especially in the winter. It'isi'njurious in many stomach complaints, and is a cause of bad breath, catarrh of the stomach, and in children, colic.

My invention acts as a preventive, and as an apparatus for promoting the habit of breathing only through the nose. The mouthpiece is fastened in place by cords or bows over the ears, features which are not the subject of this patent. The flexible Valve disk, being seated on the outside of the perforated disks, offers no impediment to during exhalation,

exhalation, but an attempt to inhale causes the flexible valve disk to seat firmly against all the perforations. I

Where the patient is so dependent on mouth breathingas to find this too uncomfortable, he can use the wire lever or the adjusting screw to lift the edge of the valve at one or more points. This will prevent the full closing of thevalve, and-will allow the inhalation of a certain amount of air.

The screw is set to control the inhalation for the whole term of a sleep, but the lever can be turned on and off, as desired. The

two controlling means cooperate, as where the screw is set for a minimum passage of air, and the lever for a maximum. The user is sure of a minimum inhalation, but can get the maximum at will. This will be operative regardless of the position of the two adjusting means on the perimeter of the disk. When they are diametrically opposed, their combined use greatly enlarges the volume of exhalation allowed. The combination of the two adjusting means thus permits of a very convenient and flexible range of adjustment.

' I claim 1. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece, a valve adapted to leave said mouthpiece open during exhalation, and normally to close it during inhalation and dual means for controlling the valve .to allow inhalation, said means comprising 'a lever adapted to lift the valve from its seat, and an adjusting screw adapted to lift the valve from its seat.

.2. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece, a valve adapted to leave said mouthpiece open and adapted normally to close it during inhalation, and dual means for controlling the valve to'allowj inhalation, said means comprlsing alever adapted partially to'lift the valve from its seat, and an 7 said cord..

adjusting screw adapted partially to lift the valve from its seat.

3. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece terminating in a perforated disk, andfa flexible valve disk adapted to close saidper'foration, said valve disk kept normally seated against the perforated disk by a cord threaded through said disk anda weight attached to 4. In abreathing mask, a'mouthpiece terfront of the other,

minating in a perforated disk, and a thin flexible valve disk adapted to close said perforation, said valve disk kept normally seated against the perforated disk by a cord attached adjacent its center and threaded throughthe center of said perforated disk.

5. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece terminating in two perforated disks, one in and a flexible valve disk adapted to close the perforations of theouter of the two disks.

6. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece terminating in two perforated disks, one in front of the other, and a flexible valve disk adapted to close the perforations of the outer of the two disks, said valve disk kept normally seated against the perforated disk by a cord attached adjacent its center and threaded through the center of said perforatrceld disk, and a weight attached to said cor 7. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece terminating in two perforated disks, one in front of the other, and a flexible valve disk adapted to close the perforations of the outer. of the two disks, said valve disk kept normally seated against the outer perforated disk by a cord attached adjacent its center, and threaded through the center of said perforated disk, and a weight attachedto said cord, and situated in the space between the two perforated disks.

8. In a breathing mask, a mouthpiece terminating in two perforated disks, one in front of the other, and a flexible valve disk adapted to close the perforations of the outer of the two disks, said valve disk kept normally seated against the outer perforated disk by a cord attached adjacent its center, and threaded through the center of said perforated disk, and a weight attached to said cord, and situated in the space between the two perforated disks, and a gauze screen controlling the openings of the mouth piece. I

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses this 4th day of May, 1918.

' JOHN SARACINO. Witnesses:

C. F. TIFFANY, WILLIAM SMITH.

five cents eac'hQby addressing the Commissioner 'of Patents, Washington, D; 0. 

